28 Creative Quarantine Meals You Haven’t Tried Yet

Read Time: 12 mins

28 Creative Quarantine Meals You Haven’t Tried Yet2/28 Bacon-Wrapped Pesto Pork Tenderloin 8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Bacon-Wrapped Pesto Pork Tenderloin Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love to serve this family-favorite tenderloin—maybe because of the compliments that come with it! When the weather warms up, we grill it instead. —Megan Riofski, Frankfort, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 402 calories, 25g fat (9g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 864mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 37g protein. 3/28 Teriyaki Glazed Chicken 21 Reviews

Contest Winner Teriyaki Glazed Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love to experiment with food. We’re able to buy sweet onions grown on Maui, so I stir-fry them with chicken and carrots for a tasty teriyaki meal. —Kelly Brenneman, Riverdale, California Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 324 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 1922mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 3g fiber), 28g protein. 4/28 Pineapple Chicken Casserole 17 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pineapple Chicken Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time

This recipe saves the day!

30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m always looking for one-dish dinners that save time and cleanup. I love to cook, but with teaching school, playing handbells at church, and juggling my husband’s and teenage twins’ schedules, I have little time in the kitchen. This recipe saves the day! —Susan Warren, North Manchester, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 335 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 1010mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 23g protein. 5/28 Easy Beef Pies 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings

Here’s how I put it to good use

4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We make a lot of French dips and always have leftover roast beef. Here’s how I put it to good use. For these pies, use any vegetables you like. They’re extra awesome drenched in cheese sauce. —Jennie Weber, Palmer, Alaska Nutrition Facts: 1 pie (calculated without queso dip): 752 calories, 46g fat (19g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 921mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 31g protein. 6/28 Buffalo Blue Cheese Meat Loaf 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From

the Recipe Creator: I made meat loaf with wing sauce for my guy, who prefers food with big flavors. He went crazy for it, and now likes it even more than traditional Buffalo wings! —Latesha Harris, Beaverton, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 286 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 123mg cholesterol, 1093mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein. 7/28 Thai Red Curry Chicken 8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Thai Red Curry Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I recreated a

On a busy night, frozen stir-fry veggies really speed things up

favorite red curry chicken dish from a restaurant, and now I cook it almost weekly for my family. On a busy night, frozen stir-fry veggies really speed things up. —Mary Shenk, DeKalb, Illinois 8/28 Salsa Steak Garlic Toasts 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These open-faced steak sandwiches play up the popular combo of steak and garlic bread. The salsa, sour cream and garnish elevate it into quick, satisfying meal. Substitute chopped green onions or chives for the cilantro if desired. —Arlene

Serve with a dash of soy sauce and a side of pineapple slices

Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 garlic toast with 3/4 cup steak mixture: 375 calories, 16g fat (4g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 721mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. 9/28 Asian Beef Noodles 63 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Asian Beef and Noodles Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This yummy, economical dish takes only five ingredients—all of which you’re likely to have on hand. Serve with a dash of soy sauce and a side of pineapple slices. —Laura Stenberg, Wyoming, Minnesota Nutrition

Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 383 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 546mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein. 10/28 Chicken & Cheese Tortilla Pie 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken & Cheese Tortilla Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Trust me when I say this hearty dish can be assembled in minutes, then devoured even quicker with no leftovers. —Karen Kuebler, Dallas, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 498 calories, 27g fat (14g saturated fat), 122mg cholesterol, 889mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (2g

sugars, 3g fiber), 37g protein

sugars, 3g fiber), 37g protein. 11/28 Chicken Caprese 22 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Caprese Chicken Recipe photo by Jackie Alpers for Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love a Caprese salad of tomatoes, basil and cheese, so why not try a chicken caprese? You can grill this dish, but my family agrees it’s juicier straight from the oven. —Dana Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 525 calories, 34 g fat (11g saturated fat), 139 mg cholesterol, 761 mg sodium, 5 g carbohydrate (4 g sugars,

1 g fiber), 45 g protein

1 g fiber), 45 g protein. 12/28 Hungry Man’s Baked Potatoes Test Kitchen Approved Hungry Man’s Baked Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Sweet potatoes are topped with bacon, veggies, pulled pork and goat cheese for a unique take on a baked potato dinner. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed potato: 435 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 1044mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 5g fiber), 22g protein. 13/28 Pasta Pizza 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pasta Pizza

My family often requests this meatless main dish

Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family often requests this meatless main dish. It’s a tempting cross between pizza and spaghetti. —Andrea Quick, Columbus, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 374 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 532mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 14g protein. 14/28 Sweet Potato-Crusted Chicken Nuggets Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I was looking for ways to spice up traditional chicken

nuggets and came up with this recipe

nuggets and came up with this recipe. The chips add a crunchy texture and flavor, while the meat is tender on the inside. —Kristina Segarra, Yonkers, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 308 calories, 17g fat (1g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 690mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein. 15/28 Lettuce-Wrap Burgers 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These fresh flavors blend like a dream. It’s a snap to throw the wraps together for a quick, healthy lunch. The

burgers can also be served on buns if you like

burgers can also be served on buns if you like. —Rachelle McCalla, Atlantic, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 2 wraps: 252 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 518mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat. 16/28 Bacon Cheeseburger Rice 40 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I thought the original skillet dish lacked pizazz, so we created this tastier version. I’ve had teenage nieces and nephews request the recipe after their first bite.

If you can’t find chorizo, ground beef or ground chicken are wonderful, too

—Joyce Whipps, West Des Moines, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 579 calories, 27g fat (13g saturated fat), 110mg cholesterol, 995mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 34g protein. 17/28 Nacho Tots 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Totchos Recipe photo by Jackie Alpers for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is an easy, versatile party appetizer that everyone loves. If you can’t find chorizo, ground beef or ground chicken are wonderful, too. Top with anything you like! —Connie Krupp, Racine, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 378

This meal in one is an easy way to get kids—and adults—to eat broccoli

calories, 23g fat (9g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 1152mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 13g protein. 18/28 Turkey and Broccoli Pastry Braid 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Turkey and Broccoli Pastry Braid Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This meal in one is an easy way to get kids—and adults—to eat broccoli. The puff pastry that wraps up turkey, cheese and veggies is pure, flaky goodness. —Jenelle Fender, Steinbach, Manitoba Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 463 calories, 26g fat (7g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 435mg

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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